Sports Briefs
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THE city of Lagos is expected to host players from at least 60 countries around the world in this year’s 15th Governor’s Cup Lagos Tennis Championship, which holds between December 5 and December 19, at the Lagos Lawn Tennis Court, Onikan, Lagos, Nigeria.
Pius Oluwole Akinyelure, chairman of the local organising committee, LOC, in Lagos, on Tuesday, December 1, said everything needed for a hitch-free event had been put in place.
Akinyelure stated that the Governor’s Cup, which is an ITF pro-circuit competition with a total prize money $80,000, would continue to serve its purpose as Nigeria’s biggest tourist attraction.
He announced that getting sponsorship for this year’s edition was a herculean task following the inability of Etisalat and FCMB, the major sponsors, to be part of it. He, however, praised other sponsors including Deux Projects Ltd, Lagos State Internal Revenue Service, LIRS, CCECC, Julius Berger Plc, Naston Ltd and LASACO Plc for their support.
Also, Deji Tinubu, special adviser to Lagos State governor on sports, said the championship had lived up to the dream of Bola Tinubu, its founding father and former Lagos State governor. “It is always difficult to convince Asiwaju Tinubu, but the organisers were able to do so 15 years ago and I am proud of the success story recorded so far,” he said.
The sports adviser said that he was looking forward to seeing products of the championship ruling the grand slam in the nearest future.
“Few years ago, one young player called Borna Coric participated in this championship and I am proud he has grown to become a key figure in world tennis. I am hoping and praying that very soon, players from the Lagos Governor’s Cup tennis championship will rule the singles event in the grand slam,” Tinubu said.
— Dec 14, 2015 @ 01:00 GMT
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